Law
Abbot Clarifies Legal Status of Wat Pa Adulyaram in Khon Kaen
The abbot of Wat Trachuwanaram has publicly addressed land ownership disputes regarding Wat Pa Adulyaram, asserting its status as a legally established branch temple.
On August 24, 2026, Phra Khru Adulsilaporn, the abbot of Wat Trachuwanaram in Khon Kaen, addressed ongoing public concerns regarding the land and legal status of Wat Pa Adulyaram. According to a report by Khaosod Online, the abbot clarified that the land occupied by the temple was not private property belonging to the late Mr. Hiang Phimsri, as some have claimed.
Phra Khru Adulsilaporn explained that the site was historically used by local villagers for foraging before serving as a cemetery during a leprosy outbreak around 1963–1964. He stated that the temple was formally established as a branch temple in 1964 by Phra Khru Adulsarnnithet. The abbot also addressed an individual named Bua-rian, urging them and their family to offer an apology to resolve the conflict and honor the deceased.
For residents and visitors, this clarification serves to address local land disputes that have surfaced in the community. While the abbot has provided a historical account of the temple's founding and its legal standing, the matter remains a point of local contention. It is not yet confirmed how the opposing parties will respond to the abbot’s request for reconciliation, or if further legal documentation will be presented to settle the ownership claims definitively.